Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics, Preview, Prediction and Pick Saturday, November 1, 2025
Use Code SSWC The Boston Celtics will host the Houston Rockets at TD Garden as the Rockets continue their road trip out east. Tipoff is slated for 8:00 PM Eastern. Read on for the Rockets vs the Celtics prediction and more free NBA picks.
Rockets Stay Perfect On Road Trip
Houston came out on top in Toronto, scoring over 130 for the second straight game. The Rockets took the lead early in the 3rd and never looked back. Kevin Durant led the way with 31 points, and Steven Adams added 12 points and 12 boards off the bench. Houston shot nearly 58% from the floor, but saw Toronto shoot 50%. The Rockets won the battle on the glass and controlled the paint in this contest.
Houston enters this contest averaging 124 points per contest, which lands them at 6th in the league. The Rockets have struggled down low this season as they are generating fewer than 50 points in the paint per game, which is firmly in the bottom half of the league. That being said, they are hovering around the top five in 3-point percentage, and they lead the league in made free throws per game. Houston has been very strong on the offensive glass, which has helped them create second-chance scoring opportunities. The Rockets have fallen to the bottom five in 2-point shooting, so extending possessions and getting trips to the line will be important here.
Key Stats:
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- Kevin Durant: 27.5 points per game
- Steven Adams: 10.8 Rebounds per game
- Team Free Throw Percentage: 81.3%
On the defensive end of the court, Houston is allowing 116.3 points per game, which lands them at 12th in the league. The defense sits around the middle of the pack in terms of points allowed. They have been very sound in transition, though, sitting 5th in the NBA with just 12 transition points allowed per game. The perimeter defense has been stronger than that of down low, with the Rockets sitting 11th in opponent 3-point percentage and 21st in opponent 2-point percentage. Houston has done well to defend without fouling, and those pesky perimeter hands have bolstered Houston to 10 steals per game, which is good for 7th in the NBA.
Celtics Win 3rd Straight
Boston squeaked one out over the 76ers on Halloween as they won in a 109-108 thriller that went to the final seconds on Friday night. Jaylen Brown led the way for Boston with 32 points as three starters finished in double figures. Anfernee Simons added 19 off the bench. The Celtics shot just under 44% from the floor and took just 12 free throws to the 29 by Philadelphia. Boston won the battle on the glass and forced Philadelphia into 18 turnovers.
Boston enters this contest averaging 113.3 points per game, ranking 25th in the league. The Celtics have struggled both in the open court and in the painted area as they sit bottom five in both metrics. Along with that, Boston has been sharing the ball at one of the lowest rates in the NBA, which has made this offense easy to defend. Boston has struggled to get the outside shot to fall, leading to poor interior scoring. The lack of aggression on the offensive end has been more evident as Boston gets to the line at the lowest rate in basketball. On the plus side, the Celtics turn the ball over at the lowest rate in the NBA, and they are sitting in the top 10 in offensive rebound rate.
Key Stats:
- Jaylen Brown: 26.8 points per game
- Neemias Queta: 9.0 Rebounds per game
- Team Free Throw Percentage: 79.8%
On the defensive end of the court, Boston is allowing 107.3 points per game, which lands them at 2nd in the league. The Celtics have been able to instill their will on the defensive end of the court. Boston has been holding opponents to fewer than 40 points per game, and they are also allowing some of the fewest assists per game. As a result, the Celtics lead the league in opponent effective field goal percentage, and they are top five in both opponent 3-point and two-point shooting.
Rockets vs Celtics Pick
Pick for Rockets vs Celtics
- Boston +5.5 (4 Units)
Boston has played the Rockets pretty well, winning eight of the last 10 between these two. While there is a different cast of characters on each roster to start the season, Boston should continue to find a way to top Houston. Boston has been able to control games by way of a strong defense, and that trend should continue here as Houston has been sloppy with the basketball. Look for Boston to keep this close as they make Houston score from outside of the paint.
Boston +5.5
Pick for Rockets vs Celtics
- Under 227.5 (4 Units)
Boston likes to slow the game down and allow their offense to work in the half-court. Houston, meanwhile, plays at one of the fastest paces in the league. With this contest shaping up to be a clash in styles, look for the Celtics to instill their will playing at home. We should expect this game to be a rock fight as the Celtics will try and slow down Houston to work them out of their preferred game state. Look for both defenses to wear some pride on their sleeve here and keep this total under the number.
Under 227.5
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